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Publication Series

As part of its mandate to promote rigorous analysis in its core areas of work, ESCAP issues reports and other publications outlining its findings on a wide variety of issues affecting its member States. Below are a list of publications that ESCAP distributes on a regular basis.

Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific

Since its establishment in 1947, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), previously the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE), has issued its flagship publication the Survey annually. It is one of the longest, continuously running reports in the United Nations system, providing decision makers in the region with valuable information in forming development policy for decades. The Survey monitors regional progress, provides cutting-edge analyses and guides policy discussion on the current and emerging socio-economic issues and policy challenges to support inclusive and sustainable development in the region. Since 1957, the Survey has also contained a study or studies focusing on a significant aspect or challenge relevant to the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.Browse

Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report

The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) is a major annual publication of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It aims to deepen understanding of trends and developments in trade, investment and regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region; emerging issues in trade, investment and trade facilitation policies, and impacts of these policies on countries' abilities to meet the challenges of achieving inclusive and sustainable development. It offers innovative policy options to meet the challenges of achieving sustainable trade and investment. The report is aimed at policymakers as well as practitioners, experts, academia, business, international agencies and non-governmental organizations working or interested in these issues in the Asia-Pacific region.Browse

Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report

The Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report analyzes development challenges that are particularly pertinent to the region's 36 least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, which are collectively referred to as countries with special needs. Policymakers in these countries will find the analysis and policy recommendations in this report useful when designing and adapting national development policies to support sustainable development, while development partners can use the findings to re-align their cooperation strategies with the priorities of these countries.Browse

Asia-Pacific Disaster Report

The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report (APDR) is a biennial publication of the Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The reports aim to deepen understanding of disaster risks and their implications on sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. The reports offer innovative policy options and tools to meet the challenges that the region faces from natural hazards. They are aimed at policymakers, practitioners, experts, academia, business, international agencies and non-governmental organizations working or interested in these issues in the Asia-Pacific region.Browse

Asia-Pacific Development Journal

Published twice a year by the Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific since 1994. The primary objective of the Asia-Pacific Development Journal is to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, ideas, information and data on all aspects of economic and social development issues and concerns facing the region and to stimulate policy debate and assist in the formulation of policy.Browse

Review of Development in Transport in Asia and the Pacific

The Review of Development in Transport in Asia and the Pacific is the biennial publication of Transport Division. It discusses the key contribution of transport to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It looks at emerging trends in transport in the region and presents initiatives, including those of ESCAP, that are making transport systems cleaner, safer, more efficient, and more affordable. It provides an update on the status of the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway networks, seaports, airports as well as progress in the development of intermodal linkages such as dry ports. It describes regional strategies and mechanisms to facilitate regional transport operational connectivity. The Review reports on the initiatives of the cities of the region to stem the social and economic losses from increasing congestion and pollution. It acknowledges the increasing role of intelligent transport systems for urban and inter-city mobility and recognizes the role of rural accessibility It also reports the region’s greater interest and the need in further improving road safety.Browse

MPFD Working Papers

Prepared by the ESCAP’s Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD), the Working Papers produce and share knowledge, experiences, ideas and information on Asia-Pacific countries with a view to stimulate debates on development-oriented policies. The Working Papers are research in progress by the author(s) and issued without formal editing.Browse

Studies in Trade, Investment and Innovation Series

The Studies in Trade, Investment and Innovation Series focuses on developments in international and intra-regional trade, investment and innovation as well as their impacts on sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. The Series also brings more expanded but complementary analyses to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Reports and ESCAP publications on technology and innovation.Browse

Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific

The Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific is a peer-reviewed journal published every year since 1950 by the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The main objectives of the Bulletin are to provide a medium for the sharing of knowledge, experiences, ideas, policy options and information on the development of transport infrastructure and services in the Asia-Pacific region; to stimulate policy-oriented research; and to increase awareness of transport policy issues and responses. It is hoped that the Bulletin will help to widen and deepen debate on issues of interest and concern in the transport sector.Browse